Today we’d like to introduce you to Taryn Hipwell.
Taryn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am allergic to a long list of chemicals related to fabric production and dying. I’ve watched films about chemical run off giving 12-13 children cancer. And the conversation about “What’s in my tee?” came about when Beyond the Label partnered with TEDxLA to form Beyond the Label. The BtL team is passionate about getting consumer to shop for healthy clothes similar to how they look at the ingredients in food.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There is only one obstacle – consistent funding. We are about to launch a crowd funding campaign, a book and several events and workshops. We are grateful to each and every school that has given us the opportunity to connect with their students and are grateful that schools and organizations are finding some funding to make sure we can continue such an important conversation.
One substantial funder “and crowdfunding support (the power of people is what fuels a powerful movement) to empower a group of very passionate nerdy BtL Team members to educate you the consumer to influence positive changes in the fashion industry” could assist us in making a huge dent in the messaging in regards to solution-based fashion that not only affects our health as the wearer, the clothes that are chosen can also shift most major polluting industries to become more positive and safe.
Beyond the Label – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We educate consumers about what’s in their t-shirt and how that effects the world, the workers, and ourselves. We are most proud of the sold out and overbooked attendance at multiple events. Including: the Beyond the Label Fashion Show + Tell with The City of Santa Monica and Sustainable Works. The panel and educational booth at Sourcing @ MAGIC in Vegas. And preparing for our second speaker tour in NYC. We primarily focus on connecting and amplifying sustainable fashion in LA and happily share our solution-based discoveries around the world.
Beyond the Label is passionate about educating Angelenos. We thrive on connecting the LA-based sustainable fashion community with consumers. Our part 1 is to foster a strong sustainable fashion community here in LA and Part 2 is to share our solution-based healthy fashion findings with the rest of the world. LA really should be on top when it comes to the global discussion of shifting the fashion industry. Both natural healthy fabrics and thrifting are a big part of many people’s shop shifting purchasing power. Join us in being a part of the #MakeShiftHappen movement. And consider when you think about “What’s in my tee?” or what your clothes are made of…we’d love for you to join us at a Beyond the Label event so that we can share our nerdy findings and our equally nerdy expert friends and designers cohorts with you. 🙂
If you had to start over, what would you have done differently?
I would have spent more time seeking a business partner with a non-profit fundraising background. I am grateful currently for some of our new recruits. We are finally elevating.
Contact Info:
- Website: LABeyondtheLabel.com
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Janell Hipwell Photography, Maggie Pa, Allison Sherman
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